They should have tested it, and launched it in a demo mode with a button to revert back to old setting. They could have added comment box that had to be filled in prior to the revert to get the reason people wanted to revert back.
My opinion is simple...the person who approved to allow this mess to go forward the way it did should be fired! or at least be demoted.
The reasoning is simple...as a single product company Quickbase should be more worried about customer perception of the company.
I have been a relatively longtime user of Quickbase (roughly 10 years) I have brought their product to now my 3rd company, and recommended many time to others. I know this has changed my opinion of Quickbase as a company, and I can't be the only one.
Now my recommendations will always have a disclaimer like "don't get attached to it working a certain way, because they may change it on you." if others feel the same way the damage to their brand they won't be able to easily fix.